Which big punchers would still be good without the power?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Rebel-INS, May 7, 2008.



  1. Rebel-INS

    Rebel-INS Mighty Healthy Full Member

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    Self explanatory. Also who would be awful without their power?

    Alexis Arguello, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Robinson are just a few to get started.
     
  2. Bill1234

    Bill1234 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Bob Foster, Lennox Lewis, and James Toney.

    Oh, and Earnie Shavers :p.
     
  3. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher VIP Member Full Member

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    Some maybe better if they didn't get lazy with their boxing because they knew their power would bail them out. If you have less power you adjust

    Tyson/Hamed would have been better if they werent so power reliant
     
  4. Maxmomer

    Maxmomer Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Dempsey could have been successful. He had great defense, hand and foot speed and a good reach and height for his era. I don't know if Marciano without his power would have amounted to much.
     
  5. radianttwilight

    radianttwilight Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Marciano is an odd case because, while he certainly had proven 1-punch KO power, he often broke his man down anyway.

    I don't think you can really "take away" power like Marciano has...because even if he wasn't able to 1-punch KO guys like he was normally able to, he still would've broken them down and stopped them anyway. His style was the same either way.
     
  6. red cobra

    red cobra VIP Member Full Member

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    Oh yeah, Earnie Shavers for sure! With all the many skills he possesed besides his power.
     
  7. Bill1234

    Bill1234 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Yup, a very rounded fighter.
     
  8. Samurai

    Samurai I lost an avatar bet Full Member

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    :blood
     
  9. Bill1234

    Bill1234 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    His defence and overall talent could win him fights. He doesn't have to be able to hit very hard. I'm not talking now Toney, I'm talking the young, in shape Toney.
     
  10. Samurai

    Samurai I lost an avatar bet Full Member

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    I know that, but Toney has never been considered a 'big puncher'
     
  11. radianttwilight

    radianttwilight Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Toney was a respectable hitter, though, but I think what Bill means is that a James Toney with ZERO punching power would still have been a great fighter, due to his defensive mastery and his general ringcraft.
     
  12. MagnificentMatt

    MagnificentMatt Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Oh, Julian Jackson as well than.
     
  13. Marciano Frazier

    Marciano Frazier Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I disagree. A fighter with as much resilience, durability, conditioning and offensive output as Marciano would still give people fits to no end, regardless of his power. Marciano almost certainly wouldn't have been undefeated without his power, and may not have been champion, but I don't doubt he would at the very least have been a highly successful contender.

    Sam Langford probably wouldn't have been such a giant slayer, but he still beats practically everyone his own size without his power, I imagine. I think Archie Moore could still have been champion at light heavyweight without the punch.
     
  14. ChrisPontius

    ChrisPontius March 8th, 1971 Full Member

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    Toney was far from a big puncher.

    In fact, at heavyweight he had about as much punching power as Willie Pep, but still held his own.
     
  15. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Joe Louis would be a good pick.